5 Matches Not to Miss at the European Championship

GENEVA (AP) Every fourth summer, football lovers tune in to what many see as the tournament for the purists on the global calendar.

The European Championship is often more fun than the World Cup, where the first-round group stage has more mismatches and can be too cautiously played.

The UEFA-organized tournament enjoys a reputation for hitting higher standards from first kick-off with no weak spots in the lineup.

Now UEFA has added to the perfect 16-team format, and a 24-nation Euro 2016 will stretch to 51 matches over 31 midsummer days in France.

Could 20 more matches mean less must-see action as top teams are kept apart for longer? Maybe.

Still, there is appointment viewing from the first whistle on June 10, even without including World Cup winner Germany facing Poland and Robert Lewandowski.

Here are five matches and story lines that stand out:

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FRANCE vs. ROMANIA (June 10, Paris)

The host nation kicks off a major four-yearly tournament. What more do you need?

This opening match is heavy with emotion at a national stadium which was a target for suicide bombers who failed to get access to France's friendly against Germany last Nov. 13.

All of Paris will be on high security alert, and France will be determined to show it is a nation and national team united.

France stars like Paul Pogba, a flamboyant midfielder, and speedy forward Antoine Griezmann can help ensure the post-match focus is about events on the field.

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ALBANIA vs. SWITZERLAND (June 11, Lens)

There has quite simply never been an international match like this.

Brothers in opposition, players with close club ties, and possible futures together with a different national team immediately after the tournament.

Both squads have several players who were eligible to represent either country, because their ethnic Albanian families have moved from the former Yugoslavia to Switzerland since the 1980s.

Each has a Xhaka brother - Taulant for Albania and his younger brother Granit, a Switzerland star - who would be the first brothers in opposition at a Euro tournament.

Opponents on June 11 could be Kosovo teammates in September. The Balkan republic got FIFA membership weeks ago and will join a World Cup qualifying group. The issue of transferring allegiance is on hold until after the competition.

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ENGLAND vs. RUSSIA (June 11, Marseille)

A prime-time fixture on the first Saturday could launch a young England team as Europe's most watchable.

If few would bet on England to win Euro 2016, more would wager on it playing in the most exciting match.

Coach Roy Hodgson has a core of talent from a thrilling Tottenham team, plus late-blooming Jamie Vardy whose goals lifted Leicester to a Premier League title that renewed neutrals' enthusiasm for football.